Drink of the Week: Ballast Point Artisanal Cocktails

Ballast Point Artisanal Cocktail Cans

As Spring approaches I want to spend more time outside with a delicious drink! If you are a brave explorer who enjoys testing the fabulous flavors of the global culture, then join us on this weekly exploration. These posts will cover everything from the latest cocktail craze to the wonderful world of wine.

Chad the Tie Guy's Drink of the Week: We want to spend more time outside at picnic spots and less time making craft cocktails. That definitely does not mean we want to resort to the overly sweet and artificially flavored premade cocktails that have been available in stores for years. Now with the craft cocktail movement we are seeing more premade cocktails with natural ingredients that we would use to make cocktails at home. These spirits are of high quality spirits and no weird chemical preservatives. 

These cans contain nothing but the best spirits made from scratch at Ballast Points distillery in San Diego, California and mixed with their made on premise mixers (bloody mary mix and homemade sodas). A great way to drink easily without having to make and transport everything to your next awesome picnic!

Ballast Point Cocktail:

FUGU BLOODY MARY 

Like the venomous namesake fish this Fugu Bloody Mary packs a sting. We’ve combined our signature Fugu Vodka with our award-winning Bloody Mary mix, featuring ripe tomatoes, exotic spices and a heavy dose of pepper, to make a spicy cocktail that is dangerously drinkable.

ALC. BY VOL. 10% 

Food Pairings: This cocktails spicy bite goes well with our Market's General Sandwich for your next picnic (18 month aged Prosciutto di Parma, mozzarella, vine ripened tomato, house made basil pesto, & field greens on a panini roll).

THREE SHEETS RUM & GINGER 

This Rum & Ginger is like none you’ve ever tasted. We blend our Three Sheets White Rum, crafted from pure cane sugar, with our fresh and spicy house-made ginger beer to create a robust yet balanced craft cocktail. It’s a storm of flavor that is sure to warm your pallet.
ALC. BY VOL. 7% 

Food Pairings: This cocktails rich spice palate really shine with our Market's Surfer Sandwich (The Market's curried mango chicken salad with organic field greens on a multigrain roll).

Three Sheets Rum & Cola 
This cocktail instantly transports you to the tropics. Our smooth Three Sheets White Rum crafted from pure cane sugar blends with earthy cardamom in our house-made cola to create a uniquely exotic yet inviting flavor. The mix of sweet and spice will have you feeling the waves wherever you may be.

ALC. BY VOL. 7% 

Food Pairings: This cocktails sweet and spicy flavor really pop with our Market's Boxer Sandwich (Prosciutto di parma, sweet soppressata, sharp provolone, hot goathorn peppers, arugula, and stone ground mustard on a panini roll).

Drink of the Week: Bee Irish

Bee Irish

*St. Patrick's Day Cooking Class @ White Horse (3/10)*

As Spring approaches and the bees are buzzing, it makes me want some new refreshing drinks! If you are a brave explorer who enjoys testing the fabulous flavors of the global culture, then join us on this weekly exploration. These posts will cover everything from the latest cocktail craze to the wonderful world of wine.

Chad the Tie Guy's Drink of the Week: In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we will be teaching an Irish Cooking Class (Space is limited, so sign up early) lead by our chef Colleen McAvaddy. To get everyone in the "Irish Spirit" we will be starting class of with a Artisanal Shot which we lovingly call BEE IRISH. This is a drink of our own invention that combines The Knot Irish Whisky with Quince & Apple's own Honey Lemon Syrup and a splash of fresh Lemon juice to invigorate you. This will be a great class, but if you can't make it, at least you can celebrate like us. Slainte! 

BEE IRISH COCKTAIL RECIPIE

2 oz The Knot Irish Whisky

1 oz Quince & Apple Honey Lemon Syrup

1/2 oz of Fresh Lemon Juice

Pour The Knot, Quince & Apple Honey Lemon Syrup and Fresh Lemon Juice into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a few shot glasses and share with friends! 

Food Pairings: This is the perfect shot to get a good Saint Patty's Day party started. Pair this with fresh Irish Soda Bread with Raisins topped with Irish Aged Cheddar Cheese and the Market's Tait Farm's Fig and Honey Conserve.

Alpine Curative Cocktail

Alpine Curative Cocktail 

As the Winter weather keeps coming and going, there is one thing that always brightens my day no matter how bleak it is outside.... Delicious Drinks! If you are a brave explorer who enjoys testing the fabulous flavors of the global culture, then join us on this weekly exploration. These posts will cover everything from the latest cocktail craze to the wonderful world of wine.

Chad the Tie Guy's Drink of the Week: Absinthe has been talked about in popular culture since it was made famous from its stories of green fairies and artist cutting their ears off (think Van Gogh). However, it's cousin, Genepey Des Alpes, (also made from Wormwood, but without the nasty anise flavor) is made from handpicked herbs and spices from the Alpine mountains. Think of it as an incredibly complex Gin. When you pair this with a quality tonic and a squeeze of lime, this will cure everything from the winter blues to a broken leg from skiing (well almost everything).

ALPINE CURATIVE COCKTAIL RECIPIE

1 oz Dolin Genepey des Alpes

4 oz Fever Tree Tonic Water

Peel of 1/2 of a Fresh Lemon 

Pour Dolin Genepey des Alpes over a large glass of ice. Add in lemon peel and top with Fever Tree Tonic (any good tonic water will work). Sip slowly and savor the aromatics and the sweet flavor up front balanced by the slightly bitter flavor on the finish.

Food Pairings: This is the perfect apres ski cocktail (French for After Skiing). Sip on this while enjoying hard alpine style cheeses, such as our delicious Gruyere cheese served with rosemary and sea salt roasted zucchini, red peppers and black olives along with a fresh toasted baguette from the Market at White Horse Wine and Spirits!

December 21st

Marques de Grinon, Cabernet Sauvignon

Only $39.99

As the holidays approach, we do so much running around and entertaining it is nice to relax and treat ourselves to a nice bottle of wine that we might not usually open. This is the second in our two part wine of the week series looking at really delicious wines that over deliver flavor for their price point. Nobody likes to be disappointed when they open an expensive bottle, so we give you tried and tested wines that we love and drink on special occasions (like finishing the holiday shopping!).

This wine is made by Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova who has pioneered the modernization of vine growing and wine-making in Spain. In 1974, he introduced Spain to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties. This was but the first step in a series of daring pioneering innovations by the man responsible for the great wines of Marques de Grinon. 

Carlos has created a huge Cabernet Sauvignon  that bursts from the glass with aromas of black cherries, wild berry fruits and sweet spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate and tobacco. It is expansive on the palate, being full-bodied, well-structured with fine, integrated tannins, and outstanding depth.

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is a clear winner for one of the best wines we have tasted this year. Every once in a while we taste a wine that leaves a lasting impression of how delicious it was (most of these are in the upper price limits of my budget). This one was one that blew me away when I found out it was less than $50 AND it was in the Top 100 Wines of 2014. A great wine and the perfect treat for celebrating the holidays!

Grape Varietals:  100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Region: La Mancha, Spain

Alcohol Content: 14.5%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       RICH RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try pairing this wine with rich, red meat dishes such as prime rib, osso bucco or filet mignon. For a real treat, try this with traditional spanish wild game meats such as wild boar ravioli or venison steaks if you get the chance.

Cheese Pairings: 

Aged Asiago Cheese- A nice salty, flavorful aged Asiago tang.

Italy $5.49 (8oz)

Moody Blue Cheese- A smoked blue cheese with a sharp flavor 

Wisconsin $7.49 (8oz)

4 Year Aged Gouda- A hard aged cheese with caramel flavors 

Netherlands $8.99 (8oz) 

December 14th

Hilary Goldschmidt, Cabernet Sauvignon

Was $34.99

Now Only $29.99

As the holidays approach, we do so much running around and entertaining it is nice to relax and treat ourselves to a nice bottle of wine that we might not usually open. This is the first in our two part wine of the week series looking at really delicious wines that over-deliver flavor for their price points. Nobody likes to be disappointed when they open an expensive bottle, so we give you tried and tested wines that we love and drink on special occasions (like checking off your holiday shopping list!).

Named for the youngest of Nick Goldschmidt's five children, Hilary Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and elegant. The grapes from this vineyard used to be sold to Opus One to blend into its famed wines. Charming Creek offers the signature taste of Napa Valley and shows unusual concentration for the price. With its long sunny days and porous, free-draining soils, Napa Valley has the perfect growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon vines and Charming Creek consistently yields bold, well structured wines that are complex and rich in flavor.

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is a beast of a Napa Cab with huge dark fruit flavors of blackberry, cassis and plum. The fruit is nicely integrated with a bold oak flavor that is both rich and elegant. This wine is ready to drink and can be enjoyed with a little decanting or stored well for aging of up to 10 years. 

Grape Varietals:  100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Region: Oakville, California

Alcohol Content: 14.5%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       RICH RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try this wine with herb-marinated grilled meats along with heavy cheeses, grilled vegetables, and roasted red peppers.

Cheese Pairings: 

Sartori Espresso Cheese- An espresso coffee rubbed sharp cheese 

Wisconsin $7.49 (8oz)

Moody Blue Cheese- A smoked blue cheese with a sharp flavor 

Wisconsin $7.49 (8oz)

4 Year Aged Gouda- A hard aged cheese with caramel flavors 

Netherlands $8.99 (8oz) 

December 7th

Allegrini, Palazzo Della Torre

Was $22.99

Now Only $19.99

This week our wine feature is in honor of our upcoming Italian classes. Last Thursday, December 3rd we had our Exploring Italy class followed by next Thursday's December 10th class, The Wines of Allegrini. If you can't make the class, at least you can enjoy some good Italian wine!

This blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese is a smooth, full-bodied cru wine made in an innovative ripasso style. After the harvest, the grapes from the Palazzo della Torre vineyard follow two different paths: 70% of the grapes are vinified immediately, while the remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December. The fresh wine made at harvest is blended with the fermenting juice of the dried grapes. This initiates a second fermentation and renders a more highly concentrated and complex wine. Allegrini affectionately refers to Palazzo della Torre as its “baby Amarone.”

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is one of my favorite "Baby Amarones". I love Amarone wine, but they tend to be out of my price range even for weekend wines. I always turn to this wine when I go out to a local BYOB. This way I get more bang for my buck in wine quality and taste. Drink smart!

Grape Varietals:  70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese

Wine Region: Verona, Italy

Alcohol Content: 13.8%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       MEDIUM RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try pairing this with richly flavored pasta dishes accented with spiced meats such as sausage, chorizo or salami. This is also a great dish to try with a seasonal risotto were the creaminess balances out the nice acidity of the wine.  

Cheese Pairings: 

Di Bruno Asiago- A hard, flavorful, salty aged Italian cheese.

Italy $5.49 (8oz)

Pecorino Toscano- A rich, nutty cheese with butterscotch flavor.

Italy $7.99 (8oz)

Prima Donna- The best of Parmigiano and Aged Gouda.

Italy $8.99 (8oz) 

November 30th

Pederzana, Sparkling Lambrusco

Only $12.99

This week we have one of the coolest (and probably most geeky) wines we have done for our wine of the week series. This is Lambrusco, which a sparkling DRY red wine from Italy. Most of us think of Riunite Lambrusco, which is a sweet red wine (usually drank by our Grandfathers). If you love Prosecco and red wines than this is your new favorite wine that is perfect for every occasion (especially the end of a long work week)! 

This is Tenuta Pederzana's most feminine and elegant wine, in which the freshness and vibrant fruit that one finds in the Grasparossa grape are highlighted to the full. The morello cherry note is joined by an intriguing sensation of wild strawberries and raspberries. The brief maceration at fairly low temperatures has made it ideal for drinking as an aperitif and in summer, thanks to the smoothness of its very delicate tannins which, besides, always leave the palate fresh and clean, making it ready to taste the next mouthful.

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is one of my favorite wines to turn people on to when they want to try something new and exciting. This of the best qualities of Pinot Noir and Prosecco combined to form a dry but fruit forward sparkling wine. It's definitely not like anything you have probably had before but for $13 bucks its well worth the leap of faith. Enjoy!

Grape Varietals:  Grasparossa (100%)

Wine Region: Emilia, Italy

Alcohol Content: 11%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       LIGHT RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try pairing this wine with typical food from the Emilia region of Italy such as tortellini, tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce or fried gnocchi. It is also ideal with delicately flavored foods such as herb crusted turkey or pork loin but shines with salmon and lamb. 

Cheese Pairings: 

Drunken Goat Cheese- A mild, soft cheese aged in red wine

Spain $8.49 (8oz)

Gouda Ewephoria- A mild Gouda with a smooth, sweet flavor.

Netherlands $9.49 (8oz)

Emmenthaler- A swiss cheese with a sharp, nutty flavor

Switzerland $8.49 (8oz)